Bushes That Produce Bean Pods

Some ornamental bushes produce seeds in pods.

When you think of legumes, plants that produce vegetables such as peas or lentils probably come to mind. But many ornamental plants that encase their seeds in pods are also considered legumes, belonging to the botanical family Leguminosae. This large family includes quite a few bushy plants that make excellent, colorful garden plants in an herbaceous border or planting bed.

Barbados Pride

The Barbados pride bush (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) originated in the West Indies. Sometimes called red bird of paradise, it grows as a multi-stemmed shrub that reaches heights of 3 to 10 feet and an equal spread. Its leaves are fernlike, with many leaflets, and its red, orange or yellow flowers grow in pyramid-shaped clusters called panicles. The plant's seeds appear late in the season, encased in thin, brown pods about 2 inches long. As pods mature, they become contorted, adding additional interest to the plant. Seeds are released when the pods spontaneously open, but are toxic and should not be consumed. The plant is frost-sensitive and suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 10 and above.

Acacia Shrubs

A number of bushy plants that belong to the genus Acacia are also legumes that produce seeds in pods. Most acacias are native to warmer regions of Africa and Australia and are generally drought-tolerant, doing well in arid locations. The snowy river wattle (Acacia boormaii) is a good example, growing as a rounded shrub 6 to 10 feet in diameter. It produces showy yellow flowers in spring, followed by long pods that enclose its seeds. Another acacia, the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha), is the floral emblem of Australia. It grow as a bushy shrub about 12 feet tall that is covered in spring with fluffy golden-yellow flowers, followed by masses of dark brown, 5-inch-long seed pods. Both acacia varieties can survive short periods of cold and are hardy in USDA zones 9 and above.

Bauhinia Plants

The bauhinia plant (Bauhinia rufescens) is also a member of the legume family, growing as a shrub that can become 8 to 10 feet tall at maturity. It has small, round, bluish-green leaves and flower clusters that are either white or pale pink. Its seed pods are quite narrow, about 5 inches long, and contain up to 10 seeds each. As they mature, the pods turn a dark red-brown color and become twisted. Bauhinia plants are African natives that grow well in drier areas, although they also do well near water features such as streams. They are frost-sensitive and suitable for USDA zones 10 and above.

Senna

Flowering senna (Senna corymbosa), also called Argentine senna, is a bushy plant growing to a height of about 8 to 10 feet at maturity. A South American native, the plant has become naturalized in parts of the southern U.S. Its leaves are dark green, thin and arranged along a central stem, and its deep yellow flowers appear in clusters in the spring. After flowering, round thick green pods appear, encasing the plant's seeds. Flowering senna is frost-resistant and can be grown in USDA zones 8 and above.

About the Author

Joanne Marie began writing professionally in 1981. Her work has appeared in health, medical and scientific publications such as Endocrinology and Journal of Cell Biology. She has also published in hobbyist offerings such as The Hobstarand The Bagpiper. Marie is a certified master gardener and has a Ph.D. in anatomy from Temple University School of Medicine.